Abstract
The surface-mediated alignment control of a lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) of aqueous solutions of a water-soluble dye, C. I. Direct blue 67, by using thin films of poly(4-phenylazophenyl methacrylate) as a command surface is described. Concentrated aqueous solutions of the dye in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant displayed mesophases as a chromonic LLC as a result of stacking of the aromatic ring systems leading to a columnar structure. A uniaxially oriented texture of LLC was obtained when the LLC, in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant was filled in a cell, which had been exposed in advance to linearly polarised light and was surface-modified with thin films of the polymer. The orientational direction of the dye molecules was in parallel with the electric vector of the actinic light, implying that the alignment of LLC is determined by perpendicularly photooriented azobenzene chromophores in such a way that columnar supramolecular aggregates of the dye align in parallel with the azobenzene molecular axis. Factors affecting the photoalignment control of the LLC were discussed on the basis of the results of the effects of exposure doses, excitation wavelength and photo-rewritability.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
